Peeved at the proposal to construct drains and service roads at a much higher level than that of residential and other plots on either side as part of NH 66 development works on the Edappally-Muthakunnam stretch, residents of Cheranalloor and nearby areas will hold a mass agitation on Friday in front of the office of the construction firm that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had engaged to develop the 24-km stretch as a six-lane highway.
They fear the plan will cause large-scale flooding and hamper direct access to the highway, especially on the Cheranalloor Junction-Varapuzha bridge stretch. The other demands include construction of wide underpasses at busy junctions for pedestrians and motorists to safely cross over to the other side of the highway.
The Janakeeya Samithi and Cheranaloor Development Committee had been on the forefront of the agitation demanding construction of drains and service roads at the same level as that of plots on either side. On its part, the Cheranalloor grama panchayat has issued a stop memo a month ago, citing this as a reason. The NHAI was also facing flak for potholed roads, including on approach roads of the Edappally overbridge, since they were causing traffic hold-ups and accidents.
-copy-29e15046.jpeg?w=600)
